To “S” or Not to “S”—That is the Question!

In English, we add the letter s to different kinds of words for different reasons.

For example, adding “s,” “es,” or “ies” to a noun shows that the noun is plural (more than one).

one car

I see two cars on the street.

one dress

She has two dresses in her closet.

one city

I have lived in two cities.

Rules:

We add ies when we delete y.

We add es when the noun ends with ss, sh, ch, tch, or x.

We add s in all other cases.

We also add “s” “es” or “ies” to verbs. We do this for third-person singular (he/she/it) verbs in the simple present tense.

buy

he/she/it + s

She buysbread every day.

guess

he/she/it + es

He usually guesses in class.

study

he/she/it -y +ies

The machine studies faces.

Rules:

We add an apostrophe + s (’s) or an apostrophe (’) to nouns to show possession (that something belongs to someone or something else).

regular singular noun

car’s phone’s man’s Ken’s

The car’s engine is broken. (The engine belongs to the car.)

irregular plural noun(not ending in s)

men’s women’s deer’s

The deer’s hooves are sharp. (The hooves belong to the deer.)

plural nouns ending in s

cars’ phones’

The phones’ ringers have been turned off. (The ringers belong to the phones.)

irregular nouns ending in s

knives’ hooves’

The knives’ edges are sharp. (The edges belong to the knives.)

names ending in s

Gates’ Bliss’

Bill Gates’ company is successful. (The company belongs to Bill Gates.)

Finally, we might add ’s as an abbreviation for the words “is,” “us,” or “has”

It’s (It is)

It’s a nice day today.

It’s a nice day today.

There’s an empty table.

Let’s (Let us)

Let’s sit there.

He’s (He has)

He’s never married.

In conclusion, when trying to decide to “s” or not to “s,” ask yourself these questions:

Is it a plural noun?

Is it a third-person singular verb?

Is it something that belongs to something else?

Is it an abbreviation?

If you answer “yes,” you need some form of “s.” If you answer “no,” you do not.We add an apostrophe + s (’s) or an apostrophe (’) to nouns to show possession (that something belongs to someone or something else)